The portraits, taken by local artisans, are more than just a picture of a child waiting for a family. Rather, they capture the spirit, hope and interests of the youth. It is not just a face on a poster or a face in a photograph. They are children. They are kids who you can relate to and emotionally connect with through these powerful images.

All of the professional photographers featured in the Gallery are from the Western New York community and volunteered their time and expertise to make this project a reality. Their job was to coax out the best in these children, knowing that their lives could change forever because of the impact of one photograph. These photographers certainly achieved their purpose - to bring out the spirit and individuality that are all too often invisible in the typical shots that accompany these children’s files once they enter foster care.